18th Annual Holiday Celebration to benefit needy children in Miami-Dade County

WHAT:  Close to 100 underprivileged children will kick off the holiday season at Florida International University’s 18th Annual Holiday Celebration for Children. Students from schools throughout Miami-Dade County are invited to participate.  Each year, the children are treated to a luncheon, a visit to a makeshift toy shop, performances and special surprises for all of the kids, including laptop giveaways. 

The party is also an opportunity to inspire students at an early age to do well in school and pursue higher education. Dozens of volunteers and sponsors, including The Home Depot, Office Depot Foundation, Walmart, Sam’s Club, and Best Buy, rallied together again this year to make this event possible. 

WHO: The holiday celebration is hosted by FIU’s Division of Student Affairs.  Administrators, faculty, staff and students will volunteer during the event.  In addition, FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg, Vice President of Student Affairs Rosa Jones and FIU Police Chief Bill King, who is this year’s Holiday Celebration chairman, will be there to welcome the children. Felecia Townsend, director of business services at FIU, will emcee the celebration.

WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 9, 2010 from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Graham Center Ballroom at FIU’s Modesto Maidique Campus, 11200 SW 8th St., Miami.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please contact Holiday Celebration Program Director Yvonne James at 305-234-5273 or yvondjames@aol.com. 

Media Contact:  Yusila Ramirez  at 786-547-0779.